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Asteroid Watch

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13 years 5 months ago #89919 by astronomersofthefuture
Asteroid Watch was created by astronomersofthefuture
Hope I have put this in the correct section..

www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch/

Near-Earth asteroid 2011 MD will pass only 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) above the Earth's surface on Monday June 27 at about 9:30 EDT. The asteroid was discovered by the LINEAR near-Earth object discovery team observing from Socorro, New Mexico. This small asteroid, only 5-20 meters in diameter, is in a very Earth-like orbit about the Sun, but an orbital analysis indicates there is no chance it will actually strike Earth on Monday. If a rocky asteroid the size of 2011 MD were to enter Earth's atmosphere, it would be expected to burn up high in the atmosphere and cause no damage to Earth's surface. The accompanying diagram gives a view of the asteroid's trajectory from the general direction of the Sun. This view indicates that 2011 MD will reach its closest Earth approach point in extreme southern latitudes (in fact over the southern Atlantic Ocean). The incoming trajectory leg passes several thousand kilometers outside the geosynchronous ring of satellites and the outgoing leg passes well inside the ring. One would expect an object of this size to come this close to Earth about every 6 years on average. For a brief time, it may be bright enough to be seen even with a modest-sized telescope.

For more information on 2011 MD and other near-Earth objects, visit neo.jpl.nasa.gov .

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13 years 5 months ago #89927 by Vagelis Tsamis
Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Asteroid Watch
Hi all,

Here you can find a gif of the asteroid 2011 MD
At the time of the observation it was 0.5 lunar distances or ~ 200.000 km away from Earth's surface.

www.astrovox.gr/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=12941

Regards,
Vagelis Tsamis

Sparta Astronomy Association / Observations Coordinator
International Occultation Timing Association / European Section, www.iota-es.de/

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13 years 5 months ago #89931 by Frank Ryan
Replied by Frank Ryan on topic Re: Asteroid Watch
Hi Vagelis.
Wow. Now that was a close shave!
When was it discovered?

My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers

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13 years 5 months ago #89932 by Vagelis Tsamis
Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Asteroid Watch
Hi Frank,

It was discovered by LINEAR just 6 days ago, on 22 June 06:21 UTC.

Vagelis

Sparta Astronomy Association / Observations Coordinator
International Occultation Timing Association / European Section, www.iota-es.de/

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13 years 5 months ago #89935 by mykc
Replied by mykc on topic Re: Asteroid Watch
Anyone know if Satellite Tracker, or related software, could be used to track a fast moving asteroid? Mike

Skywatcher 120 mm ED on a CG5 mount.
Orion UK 300mm Dobsonian

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